Sign



March 16, 1937. v H. G. HAM'MAR 2,073,975

SIGN

Filed July 25, 1936 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l um!!! i mu!!!" jr vlaenfar,Harberi Gflammat Patented Mar. 16, 1937 NTED STATES SIGN Herbert G.Hammar, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Federal Electric Company, corporationof New York Application July 25,

9 Claims.

My invention relates in general to display devices and has moreparticular reference to a sign.

An important object of the invention is to provide a sign-of improvedand simplified construction and providing sightly appearance; theinvention relating further to the provision of simplified means formounting the sign in position.

Another important object is to provide improved and relativelyinexpensive means for mounting a sign, more especially a street sign,post or upright in a manner facilitating removal of the sign frommounted position for 15 repair or replacement; a further object being toprovide a. sign-mounting bracket of inexpensive construction on which asign element may be removably attached with a minimum of effort. Anotherimportant object is to provide a sign mounting readily attachable on asupport in relatively permanent fashion, including means projecting fromthe support, and adapted to receive and carry a sleeve-like signelement, with the sign element embracing the projecting support portionand being secured thereto in a readily removable manner.

Another important object is to provide a sign element comprising ahollow, sleeve-like memher of x rectangular sectional configurationadapted to receive sign indicia in its oppositely facing surface and tosnugly receive a projecting sign-supporting portion whereby tofacilitate the mounting of the sign element; a further object being toform the sleeve-like element with upstanding means forming a paneladapted to receive sign indicia to supplement the information conveyedby the indicia on the opposing faces of the sleeve element, such signelement being particularly well adapted for use as a street indicatingsign, the opposing faces of the sleeve-like element being adapted toreceive the name of a main street, and the opposing faces of theupstanding panel secting street.

Another important object is to facilitate the manufacture of streetsigns carrying the name of a main street as well as the name of an in-50 tersecting street, by fabricating a plurality of sleeve-like elementshaving the name of the main street on the opposing faces of thesleevelike element forming separate panels carrying the namesofintersecting streets, and finally 5 5 assembling the panels on thesleeves.

Inc., Chicago, 111., a

1936, Serial No. 92,513 (Cl. 40-145) Numerous other objects, advantagesand inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the sameis more fully understood from the following description which, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, discloses preferredembodiments of my present invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective View of a sign embodying my present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 inFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of parts of the sign shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line e 4 inFigure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a sign embodying my present,invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 inFigure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l-l inFigure 6; v

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a part of the sign shownin Figure 5; and

Figure 9 is a perspective View of a sign element embodying my presentinvention.

To illustrate my invention I have shown on the drawings signs moreparticularly adapted for use in designating street names, although itwill be apparent that the novel features of construction may be appliedin signs for other purposes than the designation of street names. Theillustrated signs comprise sign elements ll, preferably of sleeve-likecharacter having substantially rectangular cross sectionalconfiguration. The sign elements I I may, as shown in Figures 1 through4, be of substantially seamless construction or, as shown in Figures 5through 8, may be formed by bending a sheet metal strip to the desiredhollow sleeve-like form, the opposed edges of the strip being broughtinto registration and secured together in any suitable fashion, as bywelding. If desired, the opposed edges may be flanged, as at l3, toprovide an upstanding bead along the top of the element H, or theflanges may be inwardly turned to hide the same within the sleeve-likeelement ll.

The sleeve-like elements II are preferably formed of sheet metal and maybe enameled, painted or otherwise treated to prevent deterioration ofthe same upon exposure to the weather, and the painting or enameling maybe utilized to form indicia H5 in the opposed side faces of the elementsII, it being understood, of course, that the rectangular sectionalconfiguraforming the i of intersecting streets, because tion of thesleeve-like elements may provide relatively wide sign-carrying sidefaces I1 and relatively narrower top and bottom faces l9, and the signindicia may be formed in any suitable or preferred fashion on theoppositely facing outer surfaces of the relatively wide side walls H.

The signs of my present invention are particularly adapted for use indesignating street names, and to this end may be mounted at streetintersections. It is desirable in such a sign to provide means forindicating the name of the intersecting street, preferably in relativelysmaller sign characters than the indicia |5, which may indicate the mainstreet. To this end, I may extend one or both of the flanges l3 upwardlyto provide a panel 2|, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 7. I prefer,however, to form the panel 2| as a separate element, formed preferablyof sheet metal and painted, enameled or otherwise treated to provideindicia 23 in its opposing faces, the indicia 23 comprising the name ofan intersecting street where the sign is used as a street marker. Tothis end, the panel 2|-where the same is applied on a seamless signelement of the character shown in Figures 14-may be formed along itslower edge with a flange or other suitable means providing forattachment of the panel on one of the walls IQ of the sleeve-like signelement. I prefer, however, to form the panel 2| as a flat plate, asshown in Figure 9, the lower edge of which may be received and secured,as by welding, between the opposed edges of the sheet from which thesleeve-like element is made. By

parts in this manner, I may separately fabricate a plurality of signelements ll, including the formation of the characters l5, and aplurality of panel elements 2|, including the formation thereon of theindicia 23, and then assemble the panel 2| on the sleeve-like element Hby fastening the lower edge of the panel 23 between the abutting edgesof the element II. This procedure provides considerable economy inmanufacturing signs for a plurality although all of the signs on astreet will contain the same name characters l5, the name characters 23are necessarily different in signs at the different street intersectionsalong the street designated by the characters |5. Consequently, if thesign elements are not fabricated separately, it is necessary to makeindividual signs for each street intersection, whereas by forming theelements H and 2| to finished condition separately, it is 1 possible toutilize mass production methods in fabricating the parts; This conditionarises from the fact that in a given area a number of panels 2|,carrying the name of an intersecting street, will be needed inassociation with panels carrying the names of a number of main streetswhich are intersected by the street carrying the name designated by theindicia 23.

The signs of my present invention may be mounted in any suitable,convenient or preferred manner, however, I prefer to utilize bracketmeans 25 having portions adapted to enter at least one end of the sleeveelement including means to secure the sleeve on the projecting bracketportion in a fashion such that, when mounted, the sign will be firmlysecured in position and held in place by and on the projecting portionof the bracket. At the same time, by merely removing fastening elements,the sign element may be readily removed for inspection, repair andreplacement, and I have provided 2.

sign mounting by means of which the time required to remove and replacea sign element on its mounting is greatly minimized and rendered highlyeificient.

The sign mounting 25 also includes means whereby the projectingsign-carrying element may be mounted on a support in relativelypermanent fashion. At the same time, the structure of my presentinvention permits the signcarrying bracket means 25 to be readilyremoved in the event that it becomes necessary to change the location ofthe sign. Since street indicating signs are ordinarily mounted onupright posts or standards, such as are usually provided in streetlighting, 1 have shown a mounting support adapted to secure thesign-carrying members 25 on a post, although it will be apparent thatanalogous means may be utilized to mount the sign-carrying bracketwherever mounting thereof is desired.

In Figures 1 through 4 the bracket 25 comprises an element formed as ametal casting, providing a portion 29 by means of which the same may besecured on a carrying support, and to this end the portion 23 comprisesa lug formed with perforations 3| and 33. The bracket 21 also comprisesa sign-carrying portion 35 of sectional configuration adapted to fitsnugly within one end of the sleeve-like sign element The portion 35also is preferably provided with a pair of spaced apart fingers 31adapted to extend a substantial distance into the sleeve-like signelement H and to engage the inner surfaces of the wall portions l9 ofsaid sign element, the fingers 31 having preferably threaded openings 39in position to receive fastening studs 4| which may be applied throughsuitable openings in the wall portions I9 of the sleeve-like element andthreaded into the openings 39 in order to firmly secure the sleeve-likesign element upon the bracket. It will be seen, therefore, that mountingof the sign element merely requires application of the same upon thecarrying portion 35 of the bracket, and the application of the holdingelements 4|. Removal of the sign element is accomplished merely byreversing the mounting operation. The bracket 21 may be mounted inposition by securing the mounting portion thereof in position by meansof ing elements applied in the openings 3| and 33. Where the bracket isused in mounting a street name sign on an upright post, I prefer toprovide sheet metal strap elements adapted for application on theupright and formed with flanged portions 43 adapted to engage theopposite sides of the mounting portion 29, said portion being securedbetween the flanges 43 by means of bolts 45 which penetrate the flanges43 and extend in the openings 3| and 33. In mounting signs at streetintersections, it is usually necessary to provide at least a pair ofsign elements extending in intersecting planes; that is to say, the signelements are mounted in position extending radially from the post onwhich the same are mounted. To this end the metallic strip means, whichsecure the brackets 21 in position on the post, comprise a plurality ofstrips 41 curved in conformation with the shape of the upright and eachhaving its opposed ends provided with flanges 43, the sign supportingbrackets 21 being secured between flanges 43 at the abutting ends ofadjacent straps, said strap assembly providing means for clamping thesame on and in position encircling sign-carrying 21 preferably fasten- 1to snugly hold the the upright post, as by means of a bolt 49, appliedin position to directly secure flanges 5| formed at the abutting ends.of apair of the straps 41. Preferably at least a pair of strapassemblies 53 and 55 is provided, one of which secures the upperportions of the brackets 21, the other assembly 55 securing the lowerportions of the brackets, and the straps forming the assembly 53 arefastened to the brackets 27 by bolts penetrating the openings 3|, whilethe lower strap assembly 55 is attached on said brackets by boltspassing through the openings 33.

In Figures 5 through 8, the bracket means 25 comprises a projectingportion fabricated of preferably sheet metal strips of width adapted tofit snugly between the walls l1, said projecting sign-supporting portioncomprising, in the illustrated embodiment, a sheet metal strap 6|, themedial portions of which are arranged to underlie the upper wall IQ ofthe sign-carrying element, the opposite ends of said strap 6| being bentsubstantially at right angles with respect to its medial portion to forma mounting portion 63 comprising one end of said strap BI and asign-securing portion 65 at its other end. The bent portions 63 and 55of the strap may be relatively braced with respect to the medialportions of the strap 6! by means of astructure element 56, as shown inFigure 7, and the mounting portion 63 is preferably formed with openingsfor the reception of fastening elements 67 by means of which the bracket25 may be secured on a support, although any suitable means may ofcourse be employed for mounting the bracket 25. In the illustratedembodiment, the bracket portion 63 is secured on a bracket mountingpreferably comprising a channel-like element 69, which in turn is or maybe fastened in any suitable or preferred fashion upon the support onwhich the bracket is mounted. The sign-carrying element I I may beassembled on the bracket 25 by sliding the same upon the support strap5| so that one end of the sign element ll engages the channel 59, theother end extending opposite the fastening portion 65 of said bracket.The portion 65 is preferably provided with means H for securing theouter end of the sign element. In the illustrated embodiment, the means7| comprises a plate 13 formed as a cover for the open end of thesigncarrying element H, the plate being formed also for attachment onthe bracket portion 65. To this end, the plate 73 has marginal portions15 adapted to overlie the end edges of the signcarrying element H, and aportion 11 adapted to enter the end of the sign-carrying element andengage the bracket portion 65, threaded means 19 being provided forsecuring the cover plate 73 on thebracket portion 55 in positionsign-carrying element in mounted position on its carrying bracket. Thethreaded means 1'9, in the illustrated embodiment, comprise bolts,preferably secured as by welding in the bracket portion 65, said boltsextending outwardly of said bracket portion in position to penetrateopenings 8| formed in the plate 13, said plate being held on the bracketportion 55 by nuts applied on the bolts 19 outwardly of the plate 13. Itwill be seen, therefore, that to mount the sign-carrying element H onits bracket it is merely necessary to slide the element on the bracket,apply the plate 13 upon the bolts 19, and attach nuts on the projectingends of the bolts 19. To dismount the signcarrying element merelyrequires reversal of the mounting operation.

The bracket 25 may of course be secured on an upright or other supportin any suitable or preferred fashion. I prefer, however, to utilizepreferably sheet metal strap means, comprising strap assemblies 83 and85 comparable to the strap assemblies 53 and 55 shown in the embodimentillustrated in Figures 1-4. The strap assembly 83 may be utilized tosecure the upper ends of the channel elements 69 upon the upright, whilethe lower assembly is utilized to securethe lower ends of the channels.Each of said assemblies 83 and 85 comprises strap portions 81configurated in accordance with the shape of the upright and havingflanged portions 89 at the opposite ends of the straps 81. These flanges89 may be secured together by means of bolts 9| so that the straps 81cooperate to encircle and clamp upon the upright post. also may beformed with looped portions 93 for receiving the channels 69 in order toclampingly secure the same upon the post. The looped portions 93 may ofcourse be formed at any desired place in the strap assemblies in orderto permit the sign support brackets 25 to extend from the post in adesired radial direction.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendantadvantages will be apparent from the foregoing description, and it isobvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages,the forms herein described being preferred embodiments for the purposeof demonstrating my invention.

Having thus described my invention, What'I claim is new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is: r

1. A sign comprising a hollow sleeve-like element formed by bending astrip of material to a sleeve-like form, the opposed edges of said stripbeing arranged in abutting relationship, and a sign panel secured by andbetween said abutting edges of the sleeve-like element and extendingoutwardly of said element.

2. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket havingportions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-likeelement, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, saidbracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like elementat one end thereof and aifording means for securing the sign element inmounted position on a support, said bracket including a metallic castingincluding spaced portions engaging opposite walls of said sleeve-likeelement, readily detachable means for securing said opposite walls tosaid spaced bracket portions, said bracket including a lug extendingoutwardly of said sleeve-like element, strap means adapted to encircleand to clamp upon an upright support, said strap means having aprojecting portion, and means to secure said lug on said projectingportion.

3. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket havingportions extending within and snugly embracedby said sleeve-likeelement, means to secure the sleeve like element to said bracket, saidbracket having portions extendingoutwardly of said sleeve-like elementat one end thereof and affording means for securing the sign element inmounted position on one of said offset ends a support, said bracketincluding a metallic casting including spaced portions engaging oppositewalls of said sleeve-likeelement, readily detachable means for securingsaid opposite walls to said spaced bracket portions, said bracketincluding a lug extending outwardly of said sleeve-like element, strapmeans adapted to encircle and clamp upon an upright support, said strapmeans including a pair of outstanding flanges, and means to clamp saidflanges upon the opposite 'faces of said lug.

4. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket havingportions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-likeelement, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, saidbracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like elementat one end thereof and affording means for securing the sign element inmounted position on a support, said bracket including a sheet metalstrap having offset ends and adapted to fit within said sleeve-likeportion with the offset ends of the strap registering substantially withthe opposed ends of the sleeve-like portion, means to secure on asupport whereby to mount the sleeve-like element on said support, andmeans operatively associated with the other offset end for securing saidsleeve-like element against sliding movement with respect to said strap.

5. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket havingportions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-likeelement, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, saidbracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like elementat one end thereof and affording means for securing the sign element inmounted position on a support, said bracket including a sheet metalstrap having offset end portions and adapted to extend within saidsleeve-like element, with said ofiset ends substantially registeringwith the opposed ends of the sleeve-like element, mounting means securedto one of said offset ends and extending outwardly of the sleeve-likeelement and adapted for attachment upon a support, and means secured tothe other offset portion and extending outwardly of and engaging thesleeve-like element to secure the same on said bracket.

6. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket havingportions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-likeelement, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, saidbracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like elementat one end thereof, said outwardly extending bracket portions affordingmeans for attaching the sign element in mounted position on a support,said bracket including a sheet metal strap having offset end portionsand adapted to extend within said sleeve-like element with said offsetends substantially registering with the opposed ends of the sleeve-likeelement, means for relatively bracing at least one of said offset endswith respect to the intermediate portions of said strap, and meanssecured to said braced portion and extending outwardly of thesleeve-like element and adapted for attachment upon a support.

7. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket havingportions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-like element, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, saidbracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like elementat one end thereof, said outwardly extending bracket portions affordingmeans for attaching the sign element in mounted position on a support,said bracket including a sheet metal strap having oifset end portionsand adapted to extend within said sleeve-like element with said offsetends substantially registering with the opposed ends of the sleeve-likeelement, means comprising a bar secured to one of said offset ends andextending outwardly of the sleeve-like element, said bar having itsopposed ends extending above and below said sign element, and strapmeans adapted to encircle and clamp upon a support member and to receivethe opposed ends of said bar whereby to secure the bracket mounted signelement on said support in position extending substantially radiallythereof.

8. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket havingportions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-likeelement, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, saidbracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like elementat one end thereof, said outwardly extending bracket portions affordingmeans for attaching the sign element in mounted position on a support,and means for clamping the outwardly extending portions of said bracketon a support rod or pole comprising strap means forming a clamp adaptedto encircle and clamp upon the rod, and having portions adapted toclampingly engage the outwardly extending portions of said bracket.

9. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket havingportions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-likeelement, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, saidbracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like elementat one end thereof, said outwardly extending bracket portions affordingmeans for attaching the sign element in mounted position on a support,and mounting means to secure said bracket on a support comprising a rodor pole, said mounting means comprising metallic strap elementsincluding at least a pair of identical strap elements, each formed witha portion adapted to be clampingly secured together whereby to mount thesame upon the rod or pole, and each having a portion formed toclampingly receive a bracket of a sign element whereby said mountingelement may secure a pair of sign elements on the rod or pole inposition extending radially outwardly thereof in diverging directions.

HERBERT G. HAMMAR.

